Clumber Spaniel Back Disease (IVDD) Survey

Introduction

What is this survey about?

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a neurological disorder where the intervertebral discs (the cushions between the veterbrae that make up the spinal column) become diseased and compress the spinal cord, leading to pain, weakness and in some cases, paralysis. This survey is to investigate the prevalence of IVDD (Back Disease) in Clumber Spaniels, and identify any lifestyle factors that contribute to the risk of this condition.This research is a collaboration between the Clumber Spaniel Club and the Royal Veterinary College.

Who is this survey for?

This survey is primarily for UK-based Clumber Spaniel owners, but we are happy to receive responses from owners outside the UK, particularly if your dog was bred in the UK. We will be pleased to share (anonymous) results with non-UK Breed Clubs.

The survey is for Clumber Spaniels you currently own, and Clumber Spaniels you have owned who have since passed away. If you have more than one dog please complete a separate survey for each dog.

What will I be asked?

Questions will include details of your Clumber Spaniel, any history of, or treatment for, IVDD, how your Clumber Spaniel spends its day, your Clumber's exercise routine and their diet.

We would also like to know about your Clumber Spaniel's body shape and weight.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU KNOW YOUR DOG'S WEIGHT (in kg) AND HAVE A TAPE MEASURE TO REPORT YOUR DOG'S MEASUREMENTS BEFORE YOU START THE SURVEY.

Your data

All responses will be treated as confidential and results will be presented anonymously. No owners or dogs will be identifiable from the reports produced. You do not have to tell us your name, or your dog's name, if you do not wish to.

We hope to get the first reports and analyses of this survey published later in 2018. A summary of results will be available on www.clumberspanielclub.co.uk and reported in our Newsletter. The anonymous results may be published by Dr Packer and colleagues at the RVC in a scientific journal.If you have any questions about this survey please e-mail Carol Page on carolpage@micklemess.net

Data Protection and Consent

The data collected in this questionnaire will be collated and stored at the Royal Veterinary College in London (RVC). We would appreciate it if you could include your contact details, but this is not required if you prefer your answers to remain anonymous. Your data will be anonymised as appropriate, and your contact details will be used only to contact you if we need clarification of the answers to any questions forming part of this questionnaire.

Your personal information will be held and used in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and will not be disclosed to any unauthorised person or body. Only the principal investigators in this study (Dr Rowena Packer, RVC; Dr Tom Lewis, The Kennel Club; Carol Page and the Health & Welfare Sub Committee of the Clumber Spaniel Club) will have access to the data on the returned questionnaires.

This project was approved by the RVC Ethics and Welfare Committee (approval number URN 20161602b)